The Event Will Feature Top VR Projects From Creators Worldwide on April 28 in Sydney, AU

Sydney-based virtual reality studioStart VR, in association with Academy Xi and Screen NSW, will host the Australian Kaleidoscope Showcase Volume 2 on Friday, April 28th at Carriageworks, Sydney. Start VR’s CEO Kain Tietzel serves as the Australian Community Director for Kaleidoscope and has been a supporter of the event series since its 2015 debut. The event takes place in 11 cities around the world, including Sydney, and is set to showcase 20 virtual reality (VR) projects from top VR creators around the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the VR experiences using HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Google DayDream and Samsung Gear VR units.

The showcase includes the Australian premiere of Within’s “Life of Us,” one of the first VR narratives to launch multiple people into a shared virtual space, co-directed by Chris Milk and Aaron Koblin, with music by Pharrell Williams. The lineup will also feature Arnaud Colinart’s “Kinoscope,” Gabriela Arp’s “Traces,” and the World Premiere of Tender Claws’ dystopian comedic masterpiece “Virtual” and “Virtual Reality,” and Quba Michalski’s artistic “Ex/Static.”

Projects by Australian creators include Michael Beet’s VR documentary “Jafri,” which explores the life of the African-Australian man behind the powerful signs in Melbourne’s busy streets, as well as Sophie Ansel’s “Out of the Blue,” an inspiring story of the legacy inherited by the children of Cabo Pulmo.

In addition to the VR exhibition, the Evening VR Showcase will also havea live Q&A with leading figures in the Australian VR community, including Start VR’s Chief Content Officer Martin Taylor and Kaleidoscope Official Selection director Michael Beets.

“The Kaleidoscope Showcase is a fantastic event to attend, with its curation of some of the most innovative and thought-provoking VR experiences around. This year’s selection truly highlights the advancements and disruptions made by the immersive medium,” notes Taylor. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to help coordinate this fascinating event and bring some of the most visually and emotionally stimulating VR pieces to Australia.”

Kaleidoscope co-founder Selena Pinnell adds, “The quality of work in the Volume 2 showcase is remarkable. We are thrilled to feature new projects from new creators, and to highlight the groundbreaking work of local pioneers in each city. Finally, we are thankful to our amazing Community Directors who invest their time and energy into organizing these showcase events and fostering each city’s community of VR Creators.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in VR experiences using HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Google DayDream and Samsung Gear VR units.

About Start VR

Start VR is a cinematic virtual reality studio, creating highly immersive experiences and interactive content. A leader in longer form VR entertainment that resonates with viewers, the company is known for its compelling narratives, and best of class, blockbuster-quality visuals. Thanks to the in-depth industry knowledge and vast technical experience of Start VR’s team, the company consistently turns out polished, critically acclaimed experiences that are not soon forgotten.

Start VR’s beautifully made work is designed to spark unprecedented levels of engagement and viewer involvement, pushing the envelope to explore the storytelling capabilities of Oculus Rift, Gear VR, HTC Vive, Sony PSVR, Daydream and Google Cardboard–and platforms still to come.

About Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope was founded in May 2015 by designers René & Selena Pinnell. Joined by producer Jill Klekas, the startup’s mission is to give VR creators the exposure and support they need to do great work. Kaleidoscope showcases finished projects, helps secure funding for future projects, and host events around the world that explore the art, science, and business of virtual reality.

In 2015 Kaleidoscope produced the first Virtual Reality Film Festival earning coverage in top publications such as The New York Times, LA Times, and VICE. Partnering with Wired magazine, Kaleidoscope has since produced more than 20 high-profile events, in 5 continents, for over 10,000 attendees. Projects discovered by Kaleidoscope routinely go on to screen at major festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, and Cannes, and the artists in our community are widely recognized as some of the most innovative voices in virtual reality today.